Insect catching device

Abstract

An insect catching device having (a) a radiation source which emits a wavelength that is suitable for attracting insects, (b) a quantity of an adhesive material provided on a surface of the device on which insects impinge when attracted to the device by the radiation source, and (c) a shield for restricting direct exposure of the adhesive material to radiation from the radiation source.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An insect catching device which comprises: 
       (a) a source of radiation having a wavelength that is suitable for attracting insects, in the form of an elongate tube,  
       (b) a quantity of an adhesive material provided on a surface of the device on which insects attracted to the device by the radiation source impinge, and  
       (c) a shield which is concave when viewed from one end which is a coating on the tubular radiation source, for restricting direct exposure of the adhesive material on the said surface to radiation from the radiation source, such that the radiation exposure on the adhesive is less than 80% of the radiation exposure in the absence of said shield.  
     
     
       2. A device as claimed in claim  1 , in which the radiation source comprises at least one elongate tubular body, and in which the shield extends along at least a substantial part of the length of the body. 
     
     
       3. A device as claimed in claim  2 , in which the shield is located between the radiation source and the adhesive coated surface. 
     
     
       4. A device as claimed in claim  3 , in which the shield is self supporting, so that it is sufficiently rigid to be able to retain a suitable configuration to act as a shield even when supported at only one or two points along its length. 
     
     
       5. A device as claimed in claim  4 , in which the surface of the shield that faces towards the radiation source is reflective. 
     
     
       6. A device as claimed in claim  1 , in which the shield is located between the radiation source and the adhesive coated surface. 
     
     
       7. A device as claimed in claim  6 , in which the shield is self supporting, so that it is sufficiently rigid to be able to retain a suitable configuration to act as a shield even when supported at only one or two points along its length. 
     
     
       8. A device as claimed in claim  1 , in which the surface of the shield that faces towards the radiation source is reflective. 
     
     
       9. A device as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the radiation exposure on the adhesive is less than 65% of the radiation exposure in the absence of the shield. 
     
     
       10. A device as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the radiation exposure on the adhesive is less than 45% of the radiation exposure in the absence of the shield. 
     
     
       11. A device as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the radiation exposure on the adhesive is less than 25% of the radiation exposure in the absence of the shield. 
     
     
       12. An insect catching device comprising: 
       at least one source of radiation having a wavelength that is suitable for attracting insects in the form of an elongate tube;  
       a quantity of an adhesive material provided on a surface of the device on which insects attracted to the device by the radiation source impinge; and  
       a shield which is concave when viewed from one end for restricting direct exposure of the adhesive material to radiation from the radiation source, such that the radiation exposure on the adhesive is less than 80% of the radiation exposure in the absence of said shield, said shield having substantially the same diameter as the outer diameter of said source of radiation.  
     
     
       13. A device as claimed in claim  12 , wherein said shield is a semi-cylindrical trough and is configured to have an arc angle of approximately 180 degrees and wherein said shield is sized and configured to be fitted onto, and cover a substantial length of, said source of radiation. 
     
     
       14. A device as claimed in claim  13 , wherein said shield is self supporting, such that it is sufficiently rigid to be able to retain a suitable configuration to act as a shield even when supported at only one or two points along its length. 
     
     
       15. A device as claimed in claim  13 , wherein said shield has a reflective surface facing toward said source of radiation and away from said adhesive material. 
     
     
       16. A device as claimed in claim  12 , wherein said shield is metal. 
     
     
       17. A device as claimed in claim  16 , wherein said shield is aluminum. 
     
     
       18. A device as claimed in claim  12 , wherein said shield is polymeric. 
     
     
       19. A device as claimed in claim  12 , wherein said shield is ceramic. 
     
     
       20. A device as claimed in claim  12 , wherein said shield is a semi-cylindrical trough having an arc angle of approximately 180 degrees and a diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of a tubular radiation source, whereby said shield is fitted onto, and covers a substantial length of said radiation source; said shield further being rigid such that it can retain a suitable configuration when supported at only one or two locations along its length. 
     
     
       21. A device as claimed in claim  20 , wherein said shield is aluminum.